[Gift] [Orryn]: Reassignment

The door to Gaius’ room opens gently and Orryn slips in without a word, letting himself in without permission as usual. The two had grown so accustomed to being each other’s nightly visitors that none of them asked for permission before entry and honestly, they shared most things aside from rooms. Currently,  there was a very blurry line between what was Gaius’ and what was Orryn’s. Everything was pretty much shared between them.

Except feelings. That was something else altogether.

“Hey.” 

“Hey.”

There is a short, awkward pause as Orryn makes his way over and flops down on the bed, tired. He was quiet, which was never a good sign.

“So… you all packed up yet?” Gaius asks, making his way over to the bed as well. Orryn nods, stretching a bit on the bed. It was clear that he was deep in thought.

“Didn’t forget anything?”

Orryn shakes his head. No.

“Nervous…?” Gaius asks, nudging Orryn’s arm playfully. Orryn doesn’t react, he doesn’t even respond. He merely shifts to put an arm over his head, blocking the light to his eyes.

Another pause, an icy silence festering between them. Gaius sighs, lying down beside the other too.

“Can’t you… just un-reassign me?” Orryn asks quietly, refusing to even look up at Gaius. The other shifts slightly to face Orryn. “I can try.” he says gently, but even without looking, Orryn knows it’s a lie. He lets out a little huff, unimpressed by the reply.

“I mean… it can’t be too bad. You’ll still be in the area, probably a few blocks away. We could… see each other on the weekends. Maybe grab some dinner? “ he offers, reaching over to link pinkies. But before he is even able to, Orryn moves his hand and turns over to Gaius.

“What are you talking about.” he snaps, visibly irritated. “A few blocks away? Who are you kidding? I don’t… I don’t even know when we can…” Orryn swallows, his voice cracking slightly. He clicks his tongue and turns over, and Gaius can hear a soft  hurt sob from  Orryn as he curls up. It pained Gaius to see him this way but… There was nothing they could do at this point.

“Hey. It’s ok.” Gaius says with a comforting tone. He reaches over to Orryn from behind and pulls him into a warm embrace. 

“Gaius-” Orryn sobs, lifting his glasses slightly to wipe his eyes. “Gaius… I don’t know when I’ll see you again. If I ever see you again at all.” 

“Oh. “ Gaius says, a sense of dread filling his chest. He shakes his head, gently stroking Orryn’s soft fluffy hair. “I’ll… see what I can do. Surely I can pull a few strings.”

Orryn laughs, a soft sad sound. He sighs.

“I’ll miss you.” he says, burying his head in his hands.

Gaius swallows. “I’ll miss you.” he repeats, hugging Orryn tighter.

They fall asleep like that, locked in each other’s embrace. Thinking about it in the future, Gaius realized that that specific night would be the last time they would have hugged in over 10 years.